Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2013

PRODUCTION

The survey indicates that the shellfish species cultivated in

Scottish waters in 2013 were:

Production was dominated by mussel and Pacific oyster, although small quantities of scallop, queen scallop (queen) and native oyster were also produced. The 2013 production data for each species by region are given in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Scottish shellfish production by region, 2013.

NB: THIS REPORT LISTS REGIONS WITH ACTIVE SHELLFISH FARMS OPERATED BY AUTHORISED AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION BUSINESSES.

CONVERSION TO WEIGHT USED THE FOLLOWING ASSUMPTIONS (BASED ON INDUSTRY FIGURES): INDIVIDUAL OYSTERS AVERAGED 80g; INDIVIDUAL SCALLOPS AVERAGED 120g; INDIVIDUAL QUEEN AVERAGE 40g.

TABLE = SALES DIRECTLY FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION;

ON-GROWING = SALES TO OTHER BUSINESSES FOR ON-GROWING.

Table production by species is illustrated in Figure 1, while trends in production for the table market and on-growing in Scotland are presented in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Trends in production data for the table and on-growing 2004-2013.

Despite high levels of shellfish toxins which caused a number of businesses to voluntarily suspend commercial production for several months, mussel production, for the table, increased by 8% in 2013 (see figure 1). The greatest contribution in regional mussel production was from Shetland, accounting for 4,337 tonnes or 64% of Scotland's total. Pacific oyster production decreased by 30% from 2012 reportedly due to the downstream effects of poor seed supply in 2010 and 2011, environmental factors such as poor growth and losses from severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, production of Pacific oysters for on-growing has significantly increased, supplying markets within and outwith Scottish waters. The Strathclyde region produced about 79% of Scotland's farmed Pacific oysters. Scallop production fell by 31% since 2012 while the production of farmed queen scallops increased by >100% with both these sectors continuing to target small niche markets. Production of native oysters decreased by 18% from 2012. Native oyster production accounts for a small percentage of total oyster production, however, demand for this species continues to be high.

FIGURE 1 Table production by species 2004-2013.

Prices of farmed shellfish fluctuated throughout the year. Their value at first sale was estimated from the following figures (Supplied by industry these vary with demand, level of production and geographical area of origin). The average price of Pacific oyster was £0.33 per shell; native oyster, £0.60 per shell; scallop, £1.29 per shell; queen scallop, £0.15 per shell and mussels £1200 per tonne. The value of the table trade is estimated from the production figures shown in Table 1.

The 2013 total value, at first sale for all species, was estimated at approximately £8.9 million, an increase from £8.7 million in 2012.